Plan Your Safari WhatsApp Us

Rwanda Safaris

Volcanoes National Park gorilla permits, Akagera's Big Five, and the shores of Lake Kivu.

Overview

About Rwanda

Rwanda sits where the western arm of the East African Rift Valley meets the Virunga Mountains and the great lakes region, most of it covered in moist montane and tropical rainforest. Though it's the second-smallest East African country after Burundi, its ecosystems mark a genuine transition point between East and Southern Africa — and its centrepiece is trekking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, often paired with a volcano hike along the Virunga range.

Where to go

Top Rwanda Attractions

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park

Home to Rwanda's mountain gorillas and five volcanoes of the Virunga range. Because fewer gorilla families live here than in Uganda, permits are in high demand — currently around $1,500 per person for a trek. Volcano hiking, birding and cultural encounters round out a visit.

Kigali Genocide Memorial

Kigali Genocide Memorial

A sobering, essential stop in Kigali documenting the 1994 genocide through photographs and personal artifacts. The children's room in particular can be an emotional experience — worth building time for.

Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe National Park

An afro-montane forest in the south-west with a habituated chimpanzee community of around 60 individuals. Golden monkey trekking, birding, nature walks and a 70-metre canopy walk are also on offer.

Kigali City Tour

Kigali City Tour

Best explored at the start or end of a Rwanda trip — a clean, orderly capital with a growing arts scene, including the Inema Arts Center.

Karisoke Research Centre

Karisoke Research Centre

Founded by primatologist Dian Fossey, whose National Geographic-funded research on mountain gorillas in the Virungas shaped conservation efforts still in place today. Visitors learn about her work and legacy.

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park

1,122 square kilometres in Rwanda's far east, with a genuine Big Five game-drive experience alongside antelope species like bushbuck, roan antelope and Topi, plus boat cruises on the park's lakes.

Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu

One of Africa's Great Lakes, straddling the Rwanda–DRC border — a relaxed way to close out a Rwanda itinerary.

Culture

Culture

Cultural centres such as Ibyi'iwacu offer traditional dance, song and craft demonstrations, with locally made artifacts available to purchase directly from the artisans.

FAQs

Rwanda Safari FAQs

The dry seasons (June–September and December–February) are best for gorilla trekking, with drier forest trails. The wetter months bring lush scenery and fewer visitors, though trekking is more demanding underfoot.

Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park permits run around $1,500 per person, notably higher than Uganda's, reflecting fewer habituated gorilla families and higher demand — confirm the current rate with us before booking, as government pricing can change.

Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or via Rwanda's e-visa system, and Rwanda is part of the East African Tourist Visa alongside Uganda and Kenya for multi-country trips.

Kinyarwanda is the national language, with French and English also widely used, especially within tourism and guiding.

The Rwandan Franc (RWF). US dollars are widely accepted at hotels and for park fees, though small local purchases are easier in Francs.

Plan your Rwanda trip